Patent GB-190105675-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the Method of Filling and Corking Bottles and in Apparatus or Appliances therefor.
Inventor: THOMPSON WILLIAM PHILLIPS
Filed: 1901-03-18
Granted: 1902-04-17
Abstract: 5675. Thompson, W. P., [Irvin, J. H.]. March 18. Bottling; corking.-The corks are contained in a hopper c<2> carried by rods c<4>, which pass through the tubular bars a<3> of the frame. The hopper is vertically reciprocated by the treadle j, acting through the links i<9>, gearing i<5>, i<3>, and links c<15> on the rods c<4>. The hopper has a sleeve c<8> of rectangular section, which works over the fixed corkguide c<5>, the movement of the hopper and sleeve causing the corks to enter the curved jaws c<6> of the guide, from which they pass in single order through the guide and the tube c'‹ to a suitable cork-compressor d. A pivoted double-acting catch m, Fig. 4, actuated by the compressor slide, permits only the lowest cork to leave the tube c<10> on each operation. Fixed to the base of the compressor is a conveyer tube e<2> adapted to enter the mouth of the bottle, the bottle being guided into position on the tube by the cup-shaped finder f<2>, mounted to slide on the tube. The finder f<2> is connected by rods f<4> to a guide-ring f<5> on the corking-plunger n, which is connected to, and moved with, the hopper c<2>. When the bottle is in position, as shown in Fig. 4, and the plunger n descends to force the cork from the compressor through the tube e<2>, the adjustable collar n<5> on the plunger engages the ring f<5>, and causes the finder f<2> to force the bottle neck downwards on the tube e<2>, at the same rate as the cork is forced from the tube by the plunger. By this arrangement, the cork as it leaves the tube expands into contact with the bottle neck, without moving relatively to the latter, so that the cork can be inserted to the level of the liquid in the bottle, or so as to leave a volume of air at ordinary pressure between it and the liquid. A partial vacuum can also be produced above the liquid, by moving the bottle downwards relatively to the cork when the cork has been forced partially from the tube e'. Fig. 7 shows the filling-arrangement, the liquid being supplied through the tube r, and gas for aÙrating the liquid through the tube r<2>. By means of a tube r<3> connected to a vacuum chamber, the air can be exhausted from the bottle prior to the filling. Preferably, the filling-tube r is in communication with, and made to act as a siphon from, a trough or container supplied, under control of a ball valve, from the cask &c., the siphon being started by the vacuum connection. When gas is forced into the bottle, the latter may be held to the filling-head by a spring catch. During corking, the filling-tube is closed by a sliding piece, preferably forming part of the conveyer tube e', and moved downwards by the cork The bottle may be held up by hand, or, when a labelling-mechanism is employed, by a spring-controlled rest h, carried by a sliding bracket h<3>, which is actuated by the cam h<5> on the wheel i<3>. The labelling - mechanism g is of the kind described in Specification No. 14,886, A.D. 1898, [Abridgment Class Labels &c], but it may be omitted, or any other suitable labelling-means may be employed. The hopper c' may be fixed, and the guide c<5> made movable. The relative movement of the cork and bottle with respect to the tube e<2> may also be obtained by movement of the tube, in which case the latter may be returned to its normal position by springs, &c. The apparatus may be constructed in multiple form, to fill and cork a number of bottles simultaneously, the bottles being arranged in a rack or tray adapted to be inserted in suitable position in the machine. To provide compensation for bottles of different lengths, the compartments of the rack or tray are provided with resilient bottoms, each composed of a double strip of spring steel ; or the tray may be supported on springs, and adapted to act in conjunction with spring-controlled spindles, which pass through the bottom of the tray and engage the bottoms of the bottles.